Stokes to miss Durham’s T20 Blast quarter-final with slight knee niggle

While he is set to miss the fixture at Chester-le-Street, the injury is not thought serious and it is believed that the 27-year-old will be fit for the fourth Test at The Ageas Bowl, which starts a week on Thursday

^{Ben Stokes has a slight knee niggle} 

Durham have announced that England all-rounder Ben Stokes is set to miss his county’s crucial T20 Blast quarter-final at home to Sussex on Friday due to a slight knee niggle sustained while on England duty.

While he is set to miss the fixture at Chester-le-Street, the injury is not thought serious and it is believed that the 27-year-old will be fit for the fourth Test at The Ageas Bowl, which starts a week on Thursday.

Durham tweeted out the news on Wednesday stating: “Ben Stokes has not been made available for Friday's @VitalityBlast quarter-final. He has a left knee niggle but should be fit enough for the fourth Test. #ForTheNorth”

Stokes took a full part in England’s 203-run defeat to India this week at Trent Bridge, bowling 35 overs across two innings and taking two wickets. The all-rounder also scored 10 in the first innings and compiled a rugged 62 runs from 187 balls in partnership with Jos Buttler on Tuesday.

Durham Jets face Sussex Sharks in the second T20 Blast quarter-final on Friday with a place at Finals Day on 15 September on the line.

The match begins at 6.30pm BST with live coverage on Sky Sports.